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The news was made public through the official Twitter account of "Sesame Street".

"Big Bird brought me so many places, opened my mind and nurtured my soul," Spinney said in a statement. "And I plan to be an ambassador for Sesame Workshop for many years, after all, we are a family!" But now it's time for two artists I've worked with and respected, and actually chosen for guardianship. Bird and Oscar the Grouch – to take my alter-egos in their hands and continue to give them life. "

For many "Sesame" fans, it's the end of an era for a man whose characters helped define his childhood.

The five decades of Spinney that portray the beloved characters left him in the shadows, even when Big Bird and Oscar became famous around the world.

Big Bird visited China with Bob Hope in 1979 and even showed his enormous dancing skills with the Rockettes and the first ballerina Cynthia Gregory.

The beloved bird, which is more than eight feet tall, has been acclaimed with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, held in the likeness of a United States postage stamp, and named "Living Legend" in 2000 by the Library of Congress.

Spinney embraced his avian avatar, traveling the world, appearing in films and conducting disguised symphonies in the United States, Australia and Canada.

He even met his 45-year-old wife, Debra, on "Sesame Street" set in 1973.

The co-creator of Sesame Workshop, Joan Ganz Cooney, called Spinney his turn as the puppet puppet in a trash can, Oscar the Grouch.

"Caroll has been one of the main lights of Sesame Street from the beginning," he said. "His genius and his talent made Big Bird the dearest friend of yellow feathers all over the world, but Caroll's true art is that he also brought Oscar to life and made him the most adorable Grouch in the world."

The papers brought Spinney, who is also an accomplished visual artist and author, acclaimed.

He has four honorary doctorates, an Emmy for his career, six other Emmy awards, two Gold Records and two Grammy awards.

His life and career were documented in the acclaimed 2014 film, "I Am Big Bird."

"Before coming to Sesame Street, I felt that what I was doing was very important, Big Bird helped me find my purpose," Spinney said. "Even when I leave my roles, I feel that I will always be Big Bird, and even Oscar, from time to time!" They have given me great joy, they have taken me to my true vocation, and to my wonderful wife! memories that I will cherish forever. "

The program announced that Matt Vogel, the puppet captain of "Sesame Street", will assume the role of Big Bird.

Oscar the Grouch will be played by Eric Jacobson, a puppeteer who also plays Grover, Bert and Guy Smiley for "Sesame Street", as well as Fozzie Bear and Miss Piggy for the Muppets.